Capital Murder Trial Starts Monday

[Big Sarge]

we weigh the risk to innocent life versus the severity of the crime. There's many a time I have broken off a pursuit, then gone and kicked in the bastard's door with an arrest warrant after he had gone to bed thinking he got away scott free.

[monster]

Originally Posted by Jill

I agree with all of this, however, except for footfootfoot, whose answer is obvious, are you guys voting in the poll to turn the other cheek? I was shocked to see so many people chose that option.

In spite of the fact that I do agree that there are some people who "just need killin'", I'm completely against state sanctioned murder, so I voted life without parole.

I did not vote (yet). I suspect some do not differentiate between tongue-in-cheek and turn-the-other-cheek.

[Sundae]

I voted for the least punitive sentence that wasn't a joke (ie not turn the other cheek).
If there had been an "Other" that's where my vote would have been cast.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by Sundae

I voted for the least punitive sentence that wasn't a joke (ie not turn the other cheek).
If there had been an "Other" that's where my vote would have been cast.

WTF??? We're on a first name ONLY basis now?

[Bullitt]

Originally Posted by Uday

Wait. I am not sure I am understanding this right.

If a criminal runs, the police are to stop chasing them?

Originally Posted by Big Sarge

we weigh the risk to innocent life versus the severity of the crime. There's many a time I have broken off a pursuit, then gone and kicked in the bastard's door with an arrest warrant after he had gone to bed thinking he got away scott free.

Armchair warrior, meet trained professional. Contrary to your internet fueled assumptions about public servants, we do actually know what we're doing.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by BrianR

It's hard for me to say. I feel that execution is warranted in certain cases.

I agree that execution is warranted in certain cases in theory, but it is impossible to write a law that clearly and accurately defines those cases. It's easy enough to point to certain cases and say that they are slam-dunks, but I defy anyone to write a legal definition that separates them from borderline cases.

In the absence of such a clear-cut distinction, any process that is fair to the accused will necessarily be expensive and difficult, and ultimately fallible anyway. I doubt that there is a humane system that is... "worth it".

But then again, I don't value the benefit of executing someone very highly.

[morethanpretty]

Originally Posted by Big Sarge

we weigh the risk to innocent life versus the severity of the crime. There's many a time I have broken off a pursuit, then gone and kicked in the bastard's door with an arrest warrant after he had gone to bed thinking he got away scott free.

I remember watching a chase not long ago, some lady going 20mph because she had driven over the spikes and not stopped so she had no tires. When she got to Dallas, the cops stopped pursuit, apparently Dallas police do not pursue if they think there is the slightest chance of causing public endangerment. Of course, I don't know how much more I don't know how she wasn't causing less public endangerment on her own then when being chased. LOL.

[plthijinx]

i am neither for or against the death penalty. on one hand, fry them, on the other by personal experience, life would truly suck. and i mean life. no parole. here in texas you are eligible for parole in something like 40 years. i myself was on a jury for a capital murder case. guy killed his own kid. we gave him life. there was a mitigating circumstance: his father was his grandfather. either way either sentence would suck. knowing that you are walking down the hall your last time not to return to your "house" ie: cell, knowing that you are about to die would be a very eerie feeling but at the same time a good feeling knowing that you will no longer be held in captivity. whereas if you were locked up for life, you go on for another 20 or even 30 years or however long it takes for you to naturally die. just the system needs to make sure that life really means life. no parole.

[Big Sarge]

20 mph with blown tires? We'd probably would have done a pit manuver. Things vary in different situations and jurisdictions

[morethanpretty]

BUMP

[morethanpretty]

this is important people!

[BigV]

these are important people.


Please make sure you have subject verb agreement in your sentence construction.

[morethanpretty]

Grammer Nazi!

[Lamplighter]

This is a demonstration of excellent leadership in State government...
Statesman Journal
Alan Gustafson, (Salem, Ore.)
Nov 22, 2011

Ore. governor halts execution, won't allow any while in office

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber announced Tuesday that he is halting
the scheduled Dec. 6 execution of a twice-convicted murderer and won't allow
any executions to occur while he is governor.

Kitzhaber's bombshell came the day after the Oregon Supreme Court said that
it would allow the lethal injection execution of Gary Haugen to go forward.
In slamming the brakes on Oregon's first execution in 14 years,
the Democrat governor said the state's death penalty system is "broken"
and he vowed to push for reforms in the 2013 legislative session.

"It is time for this state to consider a different approach," Kitzhaber said.
"I refuse to be a part of a compromised and inequitable system any longer;
and I will not allow further executions to take place while I am governor."

"I could have commuted Mr. Haugen's sentence, and indeed the sentences of all
those on death row, to life in prison without the possibility of parole,"
he said.
"I did not do that because the policy of this state on capital punishment
is not mine alone to decide. It is a matter for all Oregonians to decide.

And it is my hope — indeed my intention — that my action today will bring about
a long overdue re-evaluation of our current policy and our system of capital punishment."
Kitzhaber allowed two executions to proceed, in 1996 and 1997, during his first term as governor.

[GunMaster357]

I vote 25 years with rehab. Yet, if it can be demonstrated that they don't give a shit about what happens to other people: lock them behind bars till they die.

Death penalty is too serious for such a case.